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Need some help renovating our 12 step retreat centre in Vila Pouca da Beira, Portugal

  • Favourited 27 times
  • Last activity: 1 Feb 2023

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are an energetic couple whose adult children live independently from us. We made the decision to renovate a house we bought many years ago, with the intention of transforming it into a 12 step retreat for people who have been through treatment for addiction and would like somewhere to reflect, relax and take a break before moving on with their lives. We both belong to a 12 Step fellowships and follow the principle of abstinence, but don't object to other peoples' choice to drink or smoke.

    We have worked very hard in ensuring the outside structure of the house is water-tight and it has been re-rendered and painted. The house is on 3 floors and on the ground floor there is a self-contained apartment with 2 rooms, consisting of a double bedroom with en suite shower and an open plan kitchen/lounge - we live in the middle floor and converting the top floor into the retreat is where we will need the help.

    We inherited a small black cat who we think was abandoned and kept crying outside our house. We call her Puss Puss which we believe is a really unique name and one she sometimes responds to!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    DIY and building projects
  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for people with some building skills as the rooms on the top floor will have to be sectioned off, the roof boarded and velux windows put in and any plumbing or electric knowledge would also help as my partner has already put the plumbing and electric in on our other two floors. We may need help in putting cobble stones round the house and installing an above ground pool - so quite a lot of work!

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Portuguese: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have a one bedroom apartment on the ground floor with an open plan lounge/kitchen, with a double sofa bed and a double bedroom with an en suite shower room which is completely self contained.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We tend to work flexible hours depending on the schedule for the day but you can expect to have the week-ends free or two other days off in the week if you prefer. There are fantastic river beaches close by and there is a bus route in the village to Coimbra, the nearest City or Lisbon if you prefer. We do not work the land but have a small vegetable patch that we have given up on as we have been concentrating on renovating the house. We have solar power and internet access and our water is heated by a gas water heater. If you chose to live separately from us we can assist you shopping for your food as we have transport. Our closest village is called Vila Pouca and it has a small cafe/bar and within walking distance is another village with a bank, 2 restaurants and another cafe. The surrounding areas are farmland and trees and there are many places locally to explore on foot if you have no transport.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 972638833297

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